Aspirin, a commonly used pain reliever, may have the potential to prevent certain forms of cancer from metastasizing, according to recent findings by scientists. This groundbreaking research, led by a team from the University of Cambridge, suggests that aspirin could even play a role in future cancer treatments. The study indicates that this well-known medication enhances the immune system’s ability to detect and combat dangerous cancer cells.
Currently, clinical trials are underway to explore how aspirin might assist in preventing cancer recurrence. However, medical experts caution that cancer patients should not take aspirin routinely without consulting their healthcare provider, due to potential side effects, such as gastrointestinal bleeding. The innovative research, published in the journal Nature and supported by the Medical Research Council and Wellcome Trust, opens a pathway for aspirin to be utilized as a cancer treatment, alongside the development of more targeted therapies aimed at preventing cancer spread.
How Does Aspirin Reduce Your Cancer Risk?
Aspirin may serve as a powerful ally against cancer due to its ability to combat inflammation, as noted by experts. Inflammation is a crucial aspect of the immune system’s response to illness. However, chronic inflammation can foster a favorable environment for cancer development. Aspirin mitigates cancer risk by addressing this inflammation.
Through what has been described as a “Eureka moment,” researchers from the University of Cambridge conducted a screening of 810 genes in mice and identified 15 genes that influenced cancer metastasis. Notably, they discovered that mice lacking a gene responsible for producing a protein called ARHGEF1 exhibited a reduced likelihood of cancer spreading to the lungs and liver. The team found that ARHGEF1 inhibits a specific type of immune cell, known as T cells, which are vital for recognizing and destroying metastatic cancer cells. Furthermore, they uncovered that ARHGEF1 is activated when T cells encounter a clotting factor called thromboxane A2 (TXA2), an unexpected revelation for the researchers. TXA2 is produced by blood platelets, and aspirin is known to decrease TXA2 production.
The research demonstrated that aspirin can help prevent the spread of cancer by lowering TXA2 levels, thereby freeing T cells from suppression and enabling them to effectively kill cancer cells. Mice treated with aspirin showed a reduction in the frequency of metastases compared to those not receiving the drug, with this effect contingent upon the release of T cells from TXA2-induced suppression.
What Evidence Does the New Research Build On?
Previous studies have indicated that individuals who regularly take aspirin for three years or more may have a lower risk of developing cancers such as colorectal, esophageal (gullet), and gastric cancers. There is also some evidence, albeit weaker, suggesting a decreased risk of breast, prostate, and lung cancers.
Aspirin may also be advantageous for individuals already diagnosed with localized bowel cancer. Several studies have indicated that aspirin could lower the risk of bowel cancer recurrence following treatment, although more extensive research is necessary to substantiate these claims. A comprehensive 20-year study published last April found that long-term low-dose aspirin usage was associated with slight to moderate reductions in the risk of several cancers, although it did not confer an overall reduced risk due to increased susceptibility to some common cancers. Similar or slightly stronger inverse correlations were observed with consistent high-dose aspirin use.
Why Dosage and Timing Are So Important
Professor Rahul Roychoudhuri, who spearheaded the latest study, emphasized that despite significant advances in cancer treatment, many patients with early-stage cancers undergo interventions, such as surgical tumor removal, that could potentially cure them. However, they may relapse due to the eventual growth of micrometastases—cancer cells that have disseminated to other body parts but remain dormant.
Most immunotherapies are designed for patients with established metastatic cancer. Yet, when cancer initially spreads, there exists a unique therapeutic window where cancer cells are particularly susceptible to immune attack. “We hope that therapies targeting this window of vulnerability will hold tremendous promise in preventing recurrence in patients with early-stage cancers at risk of relapse,” he stated.
Dr. Jie Yang, also from the University of Cambridge, remarked, “It was a pivotal moment when we identified TXA2 as the molecular signal activating this suppressive effect on T cells. Prior to this, we were unaware of how our findings could inform the understanding of aspirin’s anti-metastatic properties. This unexpected discovery redirected our research focus significantly.” Aspirin, or alternative drugs targeting this pathway, could potentially be more affordable than antibody-based therapies, making them more globally accessible.
Will Aspirin Stop Cancer or Delay Its Return?
An ongoing clinical trial, known as Add-Aspirin, seeks to determine whether daily aspirin intake following cancer treatment can prevent or postpone cancer recurrence. Supported by Cancer Research UK, this trial includes patients with breast, esophageal, gastric, prostate, and colorectal cancers.
Professor Ruth Langley at University College London, who is leading the Add-Aspirin trial, described the new findings as “an important discovery.” She stated, “This research will enable us to better interpret the results of ongoing clinical trials and identify which patients are most likely to benefit from aspirin following a cancer diagnosis. While aspirin can offer benefits, it can also lead to severe side effects in a small proportion of individuals, including bleeding or stomach ulcers. Thus, it is crucial to understand which cancer patients are likely to gain from aspirin therapy and to always consult with a healthcare professional before beginning treatment.”
What Are the Side Effects of Aspirin?
Common side effects of low-dose aspirin affect more than 1 in 100 users, with some individuals experiencing serious complications such as stomach bleeding or coughing up blood. Aspirin can lead to ulcers in the stomach or gastrointestinal tract, particularly when taken over extended periods or in high doses. Alan Melcher, a professor of translational immunotherapy at the Institute of Cancer Research in London, noted that the side effects associated with aspirin should not be underestimated. “This new research may facilitate the development of improved, more targeted drugs that can replicate the beneficial effects of aspirin while minimizing harmful side effects,” he said.
Tanya Hollands, research information manager at Cancer Research UK, emphasized the need for further investigation. “Currently, there are no national guidelines recommending aspirin for the general population to either prevent or treat cancer,” she said. “Cancer Research UK is funding similar studies, including the Add-Aspirin trial, which is the world’s largest clinical trial assessing aspirin’s efficacy in preventing cancer recurrence after treatment. We eagerly anticipate the advancements in this area of research.”
